Today's News

It’s no secret how much I love the fall, the month of October, Halloween and everything scary, fun and shocking about the paranormal.

I cut my journalism teeth while I was a page designer at my first newspaper by doing a series of fun stories on supposedly haunted locations in my hometown.

My thrill for all things scary—albeit not gory—followed me here to Brunswick County. While I’ve had fewer opportunities to creep around in old buildings hoping to see or hear something unexplained, I still love this time of year.

BOLIVIA—At a special meeting Monday night, members of the Brunswick County Social Services Board voted 4-0 to fire longtime director Jamie Orrock, who has been on leave since Aug. 11.

Assistant county manager Steve Stone, who serves as the liaison to the DSS board, said the 4-0 vote came after board members emerged from a 30-minute closed session. Board member Tina Jackson was absent from the meeting.

During the first segment of the Meet the Candidates Night, U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., and Republican challenger Ilario Pantano came out swinging—with attacks quickly turning personal during the hour-long segment.

Early voting for the Nov. 2 General Election begins this Thursday, Oct. 14.

With early voting locations throughout the county and at the Board of Elections office in Bolivia, voters can cast their ballots early from Oct. 14 until Oct. 30.

The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Absentee ballots must be delivered to the Brunswick County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, if delivered by hand, or by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, if mailed. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2.

An assistant district attorney and a defense attorney will face off Nov. 2.

But it will be on the ballot for district attorney, not in a courtroom.

Jon David, a Leland Republican who serves as an assistant district attorney in the 5th prosecutorial district, which includes New Hanover and Pender counties, will face off against Harold “Butch” Pope, a Whiteville Democrat and defense attorney.

It is his experience as a prosecutor that gives him an advantage over his opponent, David said.